about us

Paul Williams - Director

"In my planning career I've worked in just about every development sector and for a diverse range of organisations.

Starting out in planning policy and then development control in local government, I not only gained an excellent technical grounding, but experience of mediating between the often conflicting interests of developers, the general public, other consultees and politicians.

I then switched to the private sector as Regional Planning Manager at Persimmon Homes. Here I developed a more proactive mindset accompanied by a commercial perspective, appreciating the importance of development viability to achieving planning goals. I also used planning consultants to help with some of our sites, and quickly identified the qualities which the best ones could bring.

Moving into consultancy myself, I initially ran the Manchester office of a leading firm of property advisors. I set up Mosaic Town Planning as an independent practise in 2007, determined to create the type of consultancy which I would want to work with if I was still a client.

Whilst I'm always keen to make new connections and to introduce our services to more clients, I'm proud that the majority of our work is repeat business from people that value our practical and accessible approach."

Qualifications: London School of Economics: BA (Hons) Geography (1985); University of Manchester: Master of Town Planning (1988); Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

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Leon Armstrong - Senior Planning Consultant

"I have been a planning consultant since 2004 and previously worked at Bidwells and Carpenter Planning Consultants. Both these roles provided me with a solid grounding in the profession and experience on various schemes, ranging from small scale change of use applications to promoting a strategic housing site of 250 dwellings in Shropshire.

Since Mosaic's launch in 2007 I have been involved in an array of schemes including residential, regeneration and community developments. I have used this experience to assist clients in overcoming barriers to development on a number of projects where constraints can potentially derail development.

I have helped to obtain permission for affordable housing schemes on brownfield sites in inner city areas of Liverpool and Manchester. I gain particular satisfaction from being able to help deliver social housing schemes in regeneration areas.

I have also focussed on strategic development through the promotion of sites on behalf of clients. I help keep landowners and housebuilders informed of ongoing policy consultations through a monthly development plan update. Clients find this service helpful and have lead to representations being made on behalf of Persimmon, Redrow and Casey Developments.

I am looking forward to Mosaic growing to be an increasingly influential, knowledgeable and approachable development partner, to meeting new contacts and to having an on-going rapport with existing clients."

Qualifications: Liverpool John Moores University: BA (Hons) Urban Planning (2003) and Postgraduate Diploma: Environmental Planning (2004); Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

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Daniel Whitney - Planning Consultant

"Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Masters in Town and Regional Planning in 2008, I have since gained a significant amount of experience in a diverse range of development projects within a relatively short period of time.

Since starting at Mosaic, as my knowledge and skills have progressed, I have worked on increasingly complex tasks and have become responsible for the management of individual projects from inception to completion, from small-scale planning applications and appeals to longer-term strategic planning projects. Having started as a Graduate Planner, I was subsequently promoted to my current role as Planning Consultant in 2010.

My job satisfaction comes from being able to help clients by overcoming the constraints of the planning system, such as its complexity and capacity to be a time-consuming and frustrating process. I am subsequently able to reduce delay and ultimately achieve planning permission. I have worked in partnership with architects and other consultants to provide planning advice for residential, community facilities, commercial and mixed-use schemes.

I have been involved in a number of residential developments and have developed a particular interest and expertise in planning for affordable and ‘Rural Exception’ housing. I have helped secure a number of planning approvals for housebuilders and housing associations in the region.

I aim to develop my career within private sector planning at Mosaic and continue to enhance my skills and knowledge of the development industry. In doing so, I will focus on my ability in providing sound planning advice with a commercial perspective, particularly as the importance of development viability continues to grow during this uncertain economic climate."

Qualifications: Lancaster University: Geography BSc (Hons) (2006); University of Sheffield: Master of Town and Regional Planning (2008); Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

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Andrew Jalali - Graduate Planning Consultant

"I am the newest member of the team and have recently graduated with an MSc in Environmental Planning from Liverpool John Moores University. During my time working with Mosaic, I aim to progress towards MRTPI chartered membership.

My academic study included new research into the implementation of the CIL for new development, and the use of new information technology to improve public engagement in planning.

As an active member of Planning Aid, I assist in a number of seminars and public consultations. I aspire to be a successful planning consultant specialising in policy implementation, urban design and regeneration, contributing to the improvement of the UK's towns and cities."

Qualifications: Liverpool John Moores University: BA (Hons) Urban Planning (2010) and Master of Environmental Planning (2011)

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